✍︎ Jayson Acabo
MANILA, Philippines — Data released on March 31, 2026, by the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and the Child Rights Network (CRN) Philippines revealed that 3,612 girls under the age of 15 gave birth in 2024, raising renewed concerns over sexual exploitation and statutory rape.
Government data cited by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) show that this figure marks an increase from 3,343 recorded cases in 2023, highlighting a continuing rise in pregnancies among very young girls.
Officials and advocates emphasize that these cases are not merely public health concerns but are often linked to abuse involving older men. Reports indicate that fathers are frequently “significantly older,” pointing to possible cases of coercion, exploitation, and gender-based violence.
A breakdown of available data further supports this concern. While some cases involve small age gaps, many show significantly older fathers, reinforcing concerns about unequal power dynamics. Experts note that such patterns are consistent with broader findings that a large proportion of adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines involve adult men.
The issue is compounded by incomplete records. In many cases, the father’s age is not reported, which advocates warn may reflect attempts to conceal identities and evade legal accountability in cases that could qualify as statutory rape.
The data also challenges common narratives surrounding early pregnancies. Claims of “childhood sweethearts” appear rare, as only a small fraction of cases involve partners of similar age, according to advocacy groups.
In response, PLCPD and CRN are pushing for the passage of the proposed Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Bill. The measure seeks to address early pregnancy through a rights-based approach, focusing on child protection, Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), and improved access to reproductive health services for minors.
The proposed legislation also aims to strengthen existing laws, including Republic Act No. 11648, which raised the age of sexual consent to 16, and Republic Act No. 11596, which criminalizes child marriage and informal unions involving minors.
Advocates say the measure is designed to shift policy from managing the consequences of early pregnancy to preventing abuse before it occurs, particularly among the country’s most vulnerable population.
References:
https://www.plcpd.org.ph/house-commitee-hears-bills-on-adolescent-pregnancy-prevention/?
https://www.plcpd.org.ph/house-commitee-hears-bills-on-adolescent-pregnancy-prevention/?
